SU-16 Sovietized A-7

[Ed S]

Another group build.  I'm way over committed on these.  Anyway, I'm starting with an old Revell A-7D.  A friend gave it to me, he thought I could do something with it since it was missing decals and instructions.  This is a good kit to WHIFF.  It's not even close to being an accurate "D" version.  It will have swing wings like the SU-17/22 series.



Ed

[puddingwrestler]

You could make a two-seater with a Hind style Double Bubble canopy - that's look pretty cool! (If you don't, I porbably will end up doing it some day!)

[The Rat]

Another group build.  I'm way over committed on these.

Bah! You're Santa, get the elves to do it!

[Taiidantomcat]

This is going to look really good, brilliant concept 

[Weaver]

That looks promising! 

As an alternative to the SU-17 wings, which are sually split left and right, you might be able to drop the top plate of a MiG-23/27 kit into it, since all the kits I've seen have made the upper fixed wing section in one piece, just like your A-7's wing.

[Supertom]

Comrades,

Your manner of speech sounds suspiciously like the manner in which the decadent capitalist dogs speak.  Perhaps a discussion with Comrade Anatoliy regarding your loyalty to the party is needed, hmm? 

[The Rat]

Comrades,

Your manner of speech sounds suspiciously like the manner in which the decadent capitalist dogs speak.  Perhaps a discussion with Comrade Anatoliy regarding your loyalty to the party is needed, hmm? 

We're still trying to find the Russian translation for Twiglets.

[Ed S]

Found this document in the files:


                                             INTELLIGENCE REPORT                               SECRET

                                                  2/23/1972                                          Prepared by DOD

               SUBJECT:       SU-16 FLUFFY

The SU-16 (NATO Code Name "FLUFFY") represents a major change in Soviet aircraft
development.  It is the first aircraft since the IL-2/IL-10 of WWII to be designed as a ground
attack and close support airframe. Previously, jet fighters such as the SU-7 Fitter and Mig 17
Fresco had been adapted to perform the ground support mission.  As a dedicated ground attack
aircraft, the SU-16 offers several significant advantages in range and payload over it's
predecessors in this role.

Developed by the Sukhoj design bureau, the SU-16 is a new single seat, single engine fighter
powered by a new Lyulka ALF-23 low bypass turbofan with afterburner.  Initial estimates
suggest that this engine offers about 13,000 lb of thrust dry and 17,000 lb in afterburner. The
aircraft is expected to have a maximum operating weight of about 38,000 lb.  A new wing design
consists of a fixed center portion with a moveable outboard section.  This allows better low speed
takeoff and landing performance while lowering drag at high speed.  The aircraft is armed with
one 23 mm GSH-23 twin barrel cannon mounted on the lower fuselage.  It also has 8 hardpoints
for weapons carriage.  Six are mounted on the fixed portion of the wing and one on each side of
the lower forward fuselage.  The fuselage hardpoints are configured for air to air self defense
missiles.  It is not anticipated that the aircraft is intended for an offensive air to air mission.  The
SU-16 is capable of carrying all current Soviet air to ground tactical ordnance including rockets,
bombs,  missiles and nuclear weapons.  It is expected to carry the new TV guided and anti-radar
missiles now entering the Soviet inventory.

Initial estimates of performance give a top speed of about 1.25M with a combat radius of about
600 miles.  It can carry about 8,000 lb of external ordnance or fuel tanks.  Takeoff performance is
enhanced with the wings forward swept allowing shorted takeoffs as well as operation from
unprepared strips.

The SU-16 is equipped with the latest avionics allowing all weather, day and night operations.
The SU-16 has a ground mapping and terrain avoidance radar, inertial navigation system, radar
altimeter, internal radar warning system and IFF.

:end report

I haven't forgotten this one.  Here it is with some basic construction.  You can see the new radome on the nose. I have hacked up the tail to reshape it for a new afterburner nozzle.  The brass tube will hold the new engine nozzle.  Lot's of PSR to get that shapped correctly.  The original A-7 wings have had spacers inserted to thicken them and widen them.  Again, lots of PSR ahead.  The new outboard movable part of the wing have been cut and still need shaped.

Here is the fuselage. 




Here it is with the wings stuck in place.  They aren't glued yet.  I need to finish shaping them before they get attached.  But this gives an idea of how it will look.



Ed

[ElectrikBlue]

SU-16 "FLUFFY"

A VG A-7... I'm curious to see what tail plane you will use in place of the original one! 

EB

[Zeke]

MADNESS!
glorious, un-bridled madness!...

[lancer]

Looking very smart Ed. Must say that the swing wing does look good on that airframe.

[Taiidantomcat]

Excellent

[Ed S]

First round of PSR has begun.  Here is how it's looking today.



Yes, those are swirl marks from a small disk sander.  Gotta love power tools to get through the basic PSR.
They'll disappear once I hand sand and prime it.

Ed

[lancer]

First round of PSR has begun.  Here is how it's looking today.



Yes, those are swirl marks from a small disk sander.  Gotta love power tools to get through the basic PSR.
They'll disappear once I hand sand and prime it.

Ed

You can't beat a good handjob for a proper finish, The Fluffy is looking goog Ed

[kitbasher]

May I suggest squaring off the fin in the manner of the MiG-23, Mig-25, Su-27, Yak-36?  Or even just flattening the top of the fin more to make akin with the Su-17?